Odion Jude Ighalo says the Super Eagles of Nigeria can challenge for the Africa Cup of Nations title next irrespective of where the tournament will be staged.
The Eagles make a come back to the tournament with a 1-1 draw with South Africa in Johannesburg back in November, having missed out in the last two editions.
Having scored six goals in the qualifying series including hat-trickagainst the Mediterranean Knights of Libya in the month of October, to lead the Super Eagles to top Group E qualifying standing, Ighalo believes the team will do well in the tournament either in South Africa or Egypt.
“Whether the championship is held in Egypt or South Africa, we will be ready. We have the advantage of having been together for sometime now, with the bulk of the team having played at the World Cup.
Qualifying for the AFCON has also made us believe very much in our ability and of course, the Nigerian Spirit is always there to propel us in difficult times.”
“We are all aware of what Nigerians expect from us. We will prepare hard and strive to deliver,” Ighalo said at the NFF Sponsors’Night on Thursday.
The Eagles has won the competition on three occasions, in 1980 hosted by Nigeria, 1994 in Tunisia and 2013 in South Africa.
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